Farmer's Code of Good Conduct
The Farmer's Code of Good Conduct is a skeletal bill of law in Myrken Wood.
History
The Farmer's Code of Good Conduct was collectively developed by prosperous farmers in approximately 1489 A.I. after the sparsely-documented decline of the von Eberzahn line. It is one of Myrken's oldest reprinted texts, often distributed in pamphlet form as a basis for the elementary instruction of law. For many years, it was a living document continuously amended and modified as required.
Its original purpose was to protect the interests of landowners who feared chaos in the wake fallen governmental entities. It is still occasionally referred to in court to support basic arguments, but is not often recognized outside of miniature farm-cluster hamlets.
The Document
In living off the land we are subject to standards of propriety, for we are still men and subject to rules as men might make. Thus, as farming is the Good Following, we set into motion policies that ensure our prosperity as farmers and citizens, applicable from one man unto the next.
A man shall not murder his neighbor, his brother, his wife, or those unfamiliar to him except in a situation of extreme duress, including but not limited to self-defense, to prevent the unlawful removal of property, or duels of honor (the propriety of which should be decided upon by a council of fellows).
A man shall not steal what belongs to his neighbor or any others, nor shall he commit bodily harm or forceful retrieval of the objects in question without the permission of a man of the Law.
In matters of disagreement, one man should mediate between his two fellows to ensure a fair and peaceful settlement of matters including family disputes, matters of marriage and ownership, farm and land borders, etcetera.
One man's crop shall not infringe upon another. Should two neighboring farmsteads profit from the same goods, one man may not damage, burn, poison, or otherwise put to ill health his neighbor's for his own profit.
Should a man in poverty come to another man, the first should do his greatest charity to the other, within reasonable expectation.
A fellow found in violation of any of these rules is subject to the lawful and exacting prosecution of his fellows, with a punishment not to exceed rational justice.
A man and his family should follow with solid will the teachings of the One True Faith and comport himself by them, as shall he by these aforementioned rules.
